How the continuity of care document can advance medical research and public health

Electronic health records in the United States currently isolate digital information in proprietary, institutional databases. Experts have identified inadequate data exchange as a leading challenge to advancements in care quality and efficiency. Recent federal health information technology incentive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 2012-05, Vol.102 (5), p.e1-e4
Main Authors: D'Amore, John D, Sittig, Dean F, Ness, Roberta B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009-US
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic illnesses
Continuity of care
Continuity of Patient Care - organization & administration
Data Collection - methods
Data exchange
Death Certificates
Diabetes
Electronic health records
FDA approval
Federal regulation
Heart attacks
Hemoglobin
Humans
Information Systems - organization & administration
Information technology
Interoperability
Laboratories
Medical records
Medical Records Systems, Computerized - organization & administration
Medical research
Online Only
Patients
Population
Public health
Quality standards
Reporting requirements
Sentinel Surveillance
United States
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Summary:Electronic health records in the United States currently isolate digital information in proprietary, institutional databases. Experts have identified inadequate data exchange as a leading challenge to advancements in care quality and efficiency. Recent federal health information technology incentives adopt an extensible standard, called the Continuity of Care Document (CCD), as a new basis for digital interoperability. Although this instrument was designed for individual provider communications, the CCD can be effectively reused for population-based research and public health. Three examples in this commentary demonstrate the potential of CCD aggregation and highlight required changes to existing public health and research practices. Transitioning to the use of this new interoperability standard should be a priority for public health investment, research, and development.
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300640